South Korea may reconsider supplying weapons to Ukraine, according to Bloomberg, which cited specific reasons for this potential change in policy.
South Korea may reconsider its stance on supplying weapons to Ukraine. The country needs to take into account the position of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump on this matter. Additionally, South Korea lacks substantial domestic support for direct arms shipments to Ukraine.
This information comes from Bloomberg. According to the publication, the authorities in Seoul are eager to determine which policy toward Ukraine Trump will adopt when he returns to the White House.
Some experts believe that it would be challenging for Seoul to maintain its support for Ukraine if Trump decides to reassess the strategic direction and reduce assistance to Kyiv. Specifically, South Korean analysts assert that South Korea's involvement in the conflict, even through arms supplies, may be inappropriate if the upcoming U.S. administration alters its stance on supporting Ukraine. They consider this to be quite uncomfortable, as such a move could provoke a negative reaction from other major powers.
South Korea's caution regarding arms supplies is also linked to concerns about deteriorating relations with Russia, which the country does not wish to turn into an adversary. The Russian Foreign Ministry has already warned Seoul about "security consequences" if it decides to send weapons to Ukraine.
Moreover, the lack of broad public support for this initiative presents another significant obstacle for the South Korean government. Given the low level of support for the president, who currently holds a record low approval rating of 17%, the government is compelled to consider the domestic political context. The leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Park Chan-dae, has already urged the government to abandon any plans to provide weapons to Ukraine, stating that after Trump's victory, the war "is likely to enter a new phase."
Trump may cut aid to Ukraine
Donald Trump's return to the presidential seat in the U.S. could alter the situation for Ukraine. As reported by the American publication The Hill, Trump is more sympathetic to Putin than to Zelensky, which could lead to a recalibration of Washington's policy toward Ukraine. This is partly explained by the fact that during the political scandal that led to Trump's first impeachment, the Ukrainian president did not support him. According to the publication, if Trump returns to power, there could be a reduction in military aid to Ukraine or even pressure on Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow.
Earlier, South Korean Foreign Minister Choi Tae-yul stated that his country is closely monitoring the situation, particularly regarding the benefits North Korea is gaining from cooperation with Moscow. He mentioned that South Korea has considered all possible options, including the possibility of providing military assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia continues to prepare North Korean troops for a major offensive in Kursk.